Ex-New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams apologises for his role in illegal bounty scheme - NFL News
New Orleans Saints’ reputation as a dirty team has been secured after the National Football League (NFL) revealed that the team’s defensive unit ran a secret bounty system which paid players for injuring the opposition.
According to the NFL’s investigation the whole operation ran for three years from the 2009-11 under the tutelage and guidance of the then Saints defensive coordinator and current St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
Williams’ operation ran under the nose of both Saints head coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis but they did nothing to stop the illegal system from operating under their watch.
After the NFL’s revelation, Williams has now come out with an apology for his role in the affair and released a statement apologising to Saints fans and franchise owner Tom Benson.
"I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the 'pay for performance' program while I was with the Saints.
Adding further he said.
“It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will
never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again."
Saints owner Tom Benson also released a statement over the affair and was visibly shocked by the developments.
He went on to say that he will give the NFL his full cooperation over the affair.
The Saints have been alleged to keeping a total bounty of $ 50,000 and giving defensemen $ 1,500 for knocking out an opponent or $ 1,000 if the player is carted off the field.
The revelations call into question the Saints run to the Super Bowl in 2009 and give credence to their opponents’ claims during the last season of the Saints being a dirty team.
The Saints will face a string of fines and suspensions to players involved while Payton and Loomis both are expected to be fined heavily for their role too.
More developments are expected over the next few days.
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